Position: 6 month, full-time internship with accommodations and stipend

May 2012 to end of October 2012

*Nous parlons anglais et français sur la ferme

About the farm:

Riverglen is a Demeter certified, biodynamic farm located in the West end of Ottawa’s Greenbelt. Our diverse operation is supported financially by a 3 acre vegetable garden. Most of our produce goes to 70 weekly CSA boxes and we also sell from our own farm store, at the Little Italy Farmer’s Market, and to Rainbow Natural Foods store. Other products sold at our farm store include eggs from 100 free-range hens, chicken from 300 pasture raised birds and honey.

We are currently breeding our small herd of cattle and sheep, as well as our flock of geese, in order to increase our manure supply and offer a variety of meat products from our farm store. Ruminants spend their summer on pasture and feed on our own hay during the winter.

We are also developing a small, 3/4 acre, permaculture orchard where 80 young fruit trees are grown along with a variety of shrubs and medicinal/edible perennials.

Interns take part in:

-Vegetable production: Planting, cultivating, weeding, mulching, harvesting, packing and distribution

-Animal husbandry: Daily feeding and care of animals, grazing management and hay gathering

-Fertility management: Collection and composting of manure and other organic matter, applying biodynamic preparations

-Farm Maintenance: Repairs and renovations to our heritage barns, fencing, access ways and landscaping

-Monthly visits to neighbouring farms

Farm life:

Be prepared for a Tuesday to Saturday work week, with 8 to 10 hour work days. We like a long lunch break, and take turns cooking for the rest of the team. Breakfast and supper are up to you to prepare for yourself, or organize with other team members.

Interns have a private bedroom in our farmhouse, and enjoy their own fully equipped kitchen in the barn. A trailer provides common space for relaxation and an outdoor hot shower is available at all times. Laundry facilities are available in the farmhouse, as well as internet access.

Interns can use farm products and staples from our well-stocked pantry to cook meals from themselves. A weekly stipend of $100 is provided and an energetic, productive and cheerful team earns an end-of-season bonus to help transition into other projects.

How to apply:

Tell us a little about who you are, a few of your goals and what kind of experience you have.

info(at)riverglenfarm.ca

613-720-FARM(3276)

230 Davidson’s Side Road

Ottawa, ON

K2K 2Z4

www.riverglenfarm.ca

This is a single weblog entry, posted on February 29th, 2012. Comment here »

Regional Office Administrator

Not-for-profit family farm organization seeking dynamic, hardworking individual with an eye for detail, and enthusiasm for farm and food issues to fill a position in Ontario Region

Experience and Skills required

General Office Administration/ Communication/ Member Services

·         able to handle general office administrative details like maintaining records, taking minutes, preparing reports

·         familiar with and able to work with member database

·         strong organizational abilities

·         ability to aid in planning, organization, and execution, of meetings, special events, conventions

·         coordinating production and distribution of communication materials

·         good written and oral communication to respond to general office and membership related phone calls, postal correspondence, email correspondence in a timely manner

·         experience with website maintenance an asset

Financial Administration

·         preparation and delivery of financial reports to auditor, CRA, Regional Council, etc

·         accounts payable/receivable, bookkeeping, payroll, banking, tax remittances

·         ability to respond to members regarding questions of financial nature

·         preparation of annual budgets

·         responsible for sound management of day-to-day financial affairs

·         able to meet deadlines and maintain timelines

General

·         able to work independently without supervision and with a volunteer board

·         able to work some flexible, irregular hours

·         home office or office location in Guelph

If you are interested in pursuing this exciting opportunity with the National Farmers Union please submit cover letter and resume by March 16/2012 to coordinator@nfuontario.ca. We thank all candidates that apply however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

This is a single weblog entry, posted on February 28th, 2012. Comment here »

First of all, thanks to all those who have been spreading the word! Thanks for forwarding emails, ”liking” posts on Facebook and sharing the blog. Thank you!!

Now I need to increase marketing efforts on my end. Many people have asked for flyers to share at the workplace, and the generic Arizona cattle ranch-style template of our website needs to be replaced with something a little more… personal… authentic.

So here’s my offer: I’m looking for someone who is graphically inclined to design a couple interesting and enticing posters to promote the CSA and a few other products. I am also looking for someone who is a little tech-savvy to upgrade the appearance of our website. A new header, background… Maybe a picture gallery… We need a new look!

In return for your services, weekly produce boxes, gift certificates or other deals are up for grabs.

This is a single weblog entry, posted on February 9th, 2012. 1 Comment »

 Exploring Your New Farm Dream in Ottawa

Ottawa
When: Wednesdays February 22 & 29 6:00pm to 9:00pm and Saturdays March 17 & 31, 9:00am to 5:00pm
Farm Tours: Saturdays will include both class room time and farm tours on both dates.
Location: TBA, Downtown Ottawa
Cost: $325 (+HST) /person or $450 (+HST) for two people from the same “farm dream” (ex: family, business partners)
To register: Click Here
For more information contact: Cherie Bauman admin@farmstart.ca or 519-836-7046 ext. 103.

Over 12 hours and one day of farm tours, the Explorer course takes a learner-centered approach to exploring agriculture as a career. As a participant in the course, you will be guided through an in depth self-assessment process, designed to help you identify the specific aptitudes, interests, skills and resources that you can bring to a new farm business. You will receive support through the process of researching opportunities in agriculture. And you will meet other serious gardeners, livestock enthusiasts, and entrepreneurs who are also asking themselves, “Is starting an agricultural business right for me?”

*The Exploring Your New Farm Dream training opportunity is eligible for cost-share funding through the Growing Forward Business Development for Farm Businesses program in Ontario. For more information on program requirements, call 1-877-424-1300 or visit the OMAFA web site.
For information on FarmStart and our programs visit www.FarmStart.ca

This is a single weblog entry, posted on February 6th, 2012. Comment here »